Auditory event-related potential changes in chronic occupational exposure to organophosphate pesticides

Abstract

Objective-To determine whether chronic occupational exposure to organophosphates (OP) pesticides leads to cognitive impairment using event-related potentials (ERPs).Methods-ERPs of 38 vegetable farmers applying OP pesticides and 35 controls were recorded using an auditory oddball paradigm. The N1, P2, N2 and P300 ERP components and the number of counting errors were compared between the groups.Results-The farmers made significantly more counting errors than controls in the oddball task. The mixed model ANOVA of component latencies revealed a significant component × group interaction, suggesting farmers had a greater delay in later ERP components. Intergroup comparisons of individual components showed significant delays in N2 and P300 latencies. Subsequent ANCOVA showed significant P300 delay even after adjusting for the latency of the preceding component, N2. Intergroup differences of P300 amplitudes were not significant, although there was limited evidence of a difference in scalp topography.Conclusion-Our findings indicate that chronic low-level occupational exposure to OP pesticides is associated with progressively increasing delay in successive ERP components, particularly P300.Significance-Chronic exposure to OP pesticides may delay the neurophysiological processes underlying early stages of selective attention and late stages of sensory information processing that include stimulus evaluation and updating of working memory.

Distribution of pesticides in different commonly used vegetables from Hyderabad, India

“…It has been postulated that exogenous toxicants, including pesticides, might be involved in the etiology of PD (Terry, Paul, Alexander, Lesley, & Leonard, 2006). Chronic exposure to OP pesticides may retard the neurophysiological processes that underlay the development of the early stages of selective attention and late stages of sensory information processing, which includes the evaluation of stimuli and updating of working memory (Dassanayake et al, 2009). OP pesticides and hydraulic fluids can also produce an acute poisoning, known as OP-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN), the effects of which require a long recovery time (Emerick, Peccinini, & de Oliveira, 2010).…”

A liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-based method to measure organophosphorous insecticide, herbicide and non-organophosphorous pesticide in grape and apple samples

“…It has been postulated that exogenous toxicants, including pesticides, might be involved in the etiology of PD (Terry, Paul, Alexander, Lesley, & Leonard, 2006). Chronic exposure to OP pesticides may delay the neurophysiological processes underlying early stages of selective attention and late stages of sensory information processing that include stimulus evaluation and updating of working memory (Dassanayake et al, 2009). A selective and sensitive multi-residue analysis method is reported for simultaneous determination of 50 pesticides of different chemical classes in three commercially important fruits of different nature viz.…”

A systematic review of the influence of occupational organophosphate pesticides exposure on neurological impairment

“…21 In 13 of the studies, the mean age of the exposed participants was in the 30s, in six studies the mean age was in the 40s, 9 14 15 19 20 31 and in two studies the mean age was in the 50s. 13 17 The mean age in two studies was 29, very close to 30. 25 32 One of the studies did not report detailed demographic data of the participants.…”

“…Six of the 24 studies included male and female participants,9 11 17 25 27 32 and only 1 study used all female participants in the exposed and control groups 21. In 13 of the studies, the mean age of the exposed participants was in the 30s, in six studies the mean age was in the 40s,9 14 15 19 20 31 and in two studies the mean age was in the 50s 13 17. The mean age in two studies was 29, very close to 30 25 32.…”